Skin treatments

One is a glycolic acid peel.  It involves cleaning the face, then applying a 70% glycolic acid solution and neutralizing it after a short period of time.  During the first peel, a patient might have the solution on for a minute or less, but the time generally increases as more treatments are done.

This is recommended on a quarterly basis for patients who have had full face laser skin resurfacing.  It can also be done on patients who need only the peel to improve their skin.  In this case, weekly peels are recommended for the first six weeks and then done on a monthly basis until the skin has improved when the patient goes to a quarterly treatment plan.  Cost for each peel is $100.

There are salons and spas who offer glycolic acid peels, but they are restricted to a 35% solution rather than 70%.  The latter is available only to physicians and obviously works better and faster.

There is a treatment with trychloricidic acid for dark areas under the eyes, or the “racoon look”.  This makes patients look older and tired.  The acid does not always remove all the darkness but does lighten the area considerably.  Treatment is done much like the glycolic acid peels.

Many people have veins in their face that show, usually around the nose and on the cheeks. This can be treated with the use of a radiotechnology unit with a needle that, when inserted in the veins causes them to gradually disappear.  This can be uncomfortable so use of conscious sedation is recommended.  There is little if any post procedure pain, but pinpoint scabs do form where the unit needle was inserted.  They disappear withing a few days.

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